Reborn After Betrayal: The Frail True Princess Decides to Give Up

Chapter 246 : The Real Treasure

After Baron Tucker left, the surrounding villagers erupted in discussion."What's the identity of this gray-haired young lady? Why is the baron even more careful with her than with the Saintess?"

"Oh my, Shanie has really made something of herself, making such powerful friends."

"First time seeing the baron so humiliated—I have to say, it's truly satisfying!"

Annie lay on Celitia's shoulder, hidden in her flowing hair, glaring at the departing group with extreme displeasure:

"Those people are really annoying! Boss, should I go mess with them a bit? I'm hungry and want to eat something!"

Celitia casually stroked Annie's fur.

Right, keeping a little dream demon meant worrying about her food.

These people were indeed quite good fodder.

"Go ahead," Celitia lowered her voice. "Just be careful not to get caught."

"Okay!"

Getting Celitia's permission, Annie was very happy, jumping down from her shoulder.

No one noticed a white rabbit slip into the bushes, following Baron Tucker and his group.

Lake finally released his family, wiping his red eyes and bowing deeply to Celitia and Ariel:

"Thank you so much. Without you, I was afraid I wouldn't see tomorrow's sun."

He turned to look at the nearby villagers, saying loudly: "I'm also very grateful for everyone's help and concern!"

"Starting from lunch today, I'll host a half-day banquet for everyone!"

"Great!!"

The villagers' cheers rose one after another.

Lake paid for some food and wine, setting up two tables at home.

Though he said he wanted to thank the villagers who helped, Lake didn't dare make too big a show of it.

After all, Tucker had suffered a loss. Despite retreating gracefully on the surface, Lake was still afraid of being held in grudge by Baron Tucker.

Sitting at the dining table, Ariel still hadn't calmed down:

"A mere baron daring to do such things—truly too arrogant!"

"The baron's rank isn't high, but he's the local tyrant of this land." Celitia sipped her black tea. "On his territory, he naturally dares to be arrogant."

Benita was very disdainful: "This kind of person only dares to target commoners."

"Exactly," Celitia smiled. "I wonder if Baron Tucker has been properly paying his taxes?"

Ariel looked at her: "You mean...?"

"When I see Sophia, I'll have a good talk with her," Celitia blinked, her eyes cunning. "When tax collection time comes, I'll ask her to pay special attention to this place."

Celitia didn't believe these nobles would honestly pay their taxes.

As long as they investigated seriously, none of these nobles would be clean.

Benita's eyes lit up: "Good idea—they deserve some punishment!"

"And Olar," Ariel gritted her teeth. "He still dares to frame people and cause trouble. I'll go find mother and ask her to order Olar back to prison!"

Ariel minded Olar's final look even more than Celitia herself, and just thinking about it made her want to beat him up.

Celitia said casually:

"With Olar's personality, before we even get back, whatever trouble he causes will probably reach Queen Marianne's ears, and he'll immediately be dragged back to prison."

"Looking at Baron Tucker's expression," Benita couldn't help laughing, "he might pack Olar up and return him tonight!"

While the three chatted, Lake, Judy, and Shanie were also discussing today's experiences.

"It's really strange—Baron Tucker seemed convinced I was secretly hiding some treasure."

Lake sighed.

"But I really don't know what treasure he was talking about."

"What treasure or no treasure," Shanie was very indignant. "Lily was right—that baron just coveted our family's land and deliberately framed us to forcibly seize it!"

Judy nodded, wiping tears from her eyes: "Yes, though the baron left this time, what should we do in the future?"

"I don't entirely think so."

Lake thought deeply, slowly shaking his head.

"If Baron Tucker wanted to seize our family's land, he's had many opportunities over the years. There's no need to suddenly act so hastily."

"How can we know what bandits are thinking?" Shanie still didn't believe it. "Maybe today he didn't want to steal, but tomorrow he does—isn't that just based on his mood?"

"Perhaps..." Lake was somewhat swayed by Shanie's words.

"But speaking of treasures, I do remember something."

Shanie propped her chin, thinking hard for a long time. "When I was little playing outside, I found something that looked like an antique and showed it to dad and mom!"

"What was it?" Lake and Judy asked in unison.

They had no memory of what Shanie was talking about.

"You don't remember? I was so happy about it for so long!"

Shanie pouted, standing up from the dining table and running upstairs. "I'll go find it and bring it down to show you!"

As her words fell, Shanie disappeared like a wisp of smoke.

"What did Shanie go to do?" Celitia and the others' attention was also drawn over.

Lake smiled embarrassedly: "She went to find her childhood treasures."

"Really," Celitia smiled softly. "Anyway, the authentication formation on the parchment is still there—I can try authenticating it for her."

Lake was very embarrassed: "They're just children's toys—what treasures could our family have?"

Judy laughed: "When Shanie was little, she treated every found object as a treasure, treasuring them dearly."

The two took turns telling embarrassing stories about little Shanie, making them laugh.

Completely unaware her parents were exposing her past, Shanie came charging down the stairs with an armful of items.

"Look, these are them!"

Placing the items one by one on the table, Shanie excitedly showed them off.

Celitia's gaze swept over those so-called treasures one by one.

Shiny shells, glass fragments, small dolls—indeed things children would like.

Thinking this, Celitia's gaze finally settled on a small golden cup.

An authenticator's intuition told Celitia this object seemed unusual.

Picking up the small golden cup, Celitia asked: "What's this?"

"Lily really has good taste!" Shanie was overjoyed. "That's the treasure I was talking about!"

Carefully touching the intricate patterns on the cup, Celitia gradually frowned.

"When and where did you find this?"